Former Pitt running back Rushel Shell, after first showing interest in UCLA, decided against the Bruins and asked about returning to Pitt.

That was a definite no, and now he’s looking elsewhere, including West Virginia, Ohio State and Kentucky, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Shell, who is from Pennsylvania, has 16-month old twin daughters and doesn’t want to be far from them.

With that in mind, perhaps he never should have left Pitt in the first place. Shell was slated to start after being the primary backup to Ray Graham last season. However, he did not participate in the spring and then announced his intention to transfer.

The player’s mother, Toni Zuccaro, told the paper that Shell has garnered interest from Division II programs, but he wants to stay on the FBS level. His plan is visit the three schools on his list this summer and make a decision before fall camp.

West Virginia recently welcomed Houston transfer Charles Sims, who is a graduate student and will eligible immediately. But Shell would have to sit out the 2013 season due to NCAA rules and could slide into Sims’ place in 2014. Ohio State and Kentucky will both be in need of running back depth after this season, as well.